Part 3 (part 1: Starting a Business | part 2: Local Business Resources)
Local Requirements
Fictitious Business Names
Business Licenses
Zoning Regulations
Other Common Permits
| Fictitious Business Name Statement |
A Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed if the business name chosen is different from the proprietor's legal name. In general, if a business name does not have the last name of all the owners, or differs from the incorporation documents or implies greater ownership, a Fictitious Business Name Statement is involved. For instance, adding words such as "and company", "son/daughter", and "associates" implies greater ownership and is treated as an assumed name
To Use a Fictitious Business Name.
If a Fictitious Business Name Statement is required, the following actions should be taken:
- Check With the County Clerk to do a fictitious business name search to be sure no one in the county already has that name. You should also check with the Secretary of State to check that no corporations use the name as well.
- Publish the Fictitious Business Name Statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the County where the principal place of business is located once a week for four successive weeks.
- File an affidavit of publication with the County Clerk within 30 days of publication. All filings are done through the County rather than the city.
County Clerk's Office
501 Low Gap Rd. Rm. 1020
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4311
http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/acr/
| Business Licenses |
All businesses are required to have some type of license or permit in Mendocino County. This section is intended to clarify which regulations would apply to your business.
City of Ukiah
The City of Ukiah bases business license fees upon estimated gross receipts. Ukiah also charges an application fee of $10, or $40 for an application requiring a field inspection. For additional information, contact:
City of Ukiah
300 Seminary Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-6200
DOWNLOAD THE CITY OF UKIAH BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION:
www.cityofukiah.com/forms/finance_dept/finance_dept_business_license_app.pdf
(PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
City of Willits
The City of Willits bases business license fees on quarterly receipts. Willits charges a one-time application fee of $15 for business licenses.
City of Willits
111 E. Commercial Street
Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-4601
Business Licenses - Unincorporated County
Typically, if your primary business location is in an incorporated city, the County of Mendocino does not require an additional permit. License fees for a Business License in the County vary widely depending on the type of business. The Planning Department grants the approval, but the Business License is issued by the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
County Planning & Building Dept.
501 Low Gap Rd.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4281
County Treasurer-Tax Collector
501 Low Gap Rd.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4321
Business Licenses - State of California
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not require licenses from the state. Limited partnerships and Limited Liability Companies however have to register with the Secretary of State and follow regulations pertaining to those particular business structures. All Corporations within the state are required to register with the Secretary of State and file their Articles of Incorporation in order to be granted a charter to do business in California.
Secretary of State
Business Programs Division
1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-657-5448
www.ss.ca.gov
Employer Identification Number (EIN or SSN)
Employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations, must obtain an Employer Identification Number from the I.R.S. Businesses can obtain appropriate Federal income tax forms from this location.
Internal Revenue Service
4330 Watt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
800-829-3676
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FOR AN EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf (PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
State Income Tax Information
Businesses should obtain the appropriate State income tax forms from the Franchise Tax Board. All businesses are required to submit a Business Income Tax statement annually.
Franchise Tax Board
Business Entities Division
P.O. Box 942857
Sacramento, CA 94257
1-800-852-5711; 916-845-4543
www.ftb.ca.gov
| County Zoning |
Home Occupations
No use permits are required for home occupations. To qualify the business occupation must clearly be secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence. Only residents may be employed in a Home Occupation. Contact the County Planning & Building Dept. (above).
Cottage Industry Permit
A minor use permit is required for commercial use of a residence that is more extensive than the Home Occupation. The commercial use may not change the residential or rural nature of the surrounding area. See the County Planning & Building Dept.(above).
Administrative Permit of Temporary Use
Mendocino County requires commercial events such as entertainment, temporary structures, temporary site signs or billboards and temporary use of trailers to get a permit. Filling fees vary, see Planning & Building Dept. (above).
Conditional Use Permit
The County's zoning ordinance specifies permitted locations of land uses within the County (residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, etc.). A Use Permit is a special type of permit which allows for the organization and control of land uses to insure compatibility with desirable existing and future land uses in the area. Some businesses require permission from the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator to operate at certain locations. Filing fees are based upon administrative costs associated with processing use permit applications. For additional information, contact the County Department of Planning & Building Services (above).
|
Other Common City & County Permits |
Air Quality Permits
Businesses with operations or equipment that have the potential to emit air contaminants must get Air Quality Permits. Permits are required before construction begins for a new operation; whenever a change of ownership occurs; before a modification that may reduce or increase emissions; or before equipment is moved or relocated.
Mendocino County Air Quality Management District
306 East Gobbi Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4354
Building Permits, Plans & Inspections
Generally any new construction, or any addition, alteration or repair to an existing building requires a Building Permit. The County of Mendocino utilizes a single-permit system per building. If your construction project requires any kind of Planning Division approval (such as development review, an administrative permit or use permit), you must submit the appropriate planning application, either prior to or concurrent with your application for a building permit. Plan check and permit fees (except Mobile Home setup and building alterations) are based upon project valuation as established by a fee schedule approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Mendocino County Department of Planning & Building Services
(Inland areas of the County)
501 Low Gap Road, Room 1440
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4281 Fax: (707) 463-5709
www.co.mendocino.ca.us
If you are interested in developing or expanding a business in one of the County's four incorporated cities, you must obtain building permits, inspections and zoning clearances from these jurisdictions.
City of Ukiah Planning & Building Department
300 Seminary Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-6203
www.cityofukiah.com
City of Willits Planning and Building
111 E. Commercial St.,
Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-4601
Cal/OSHA Compliance Information
If you are a corporation, a partnership or an employer of at least one employee, you must develop an injury and illness prevention plan. For additional information contact: The state provides a no-fee consultation service to assist employers with preventing unsafe working conditions and workplace hazards.
Cal/OSHA
Santa Rosa District Office
1221 Farmers Lane, Suite 300
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
(707) 576-2388
www.dir.ca.gov/occupational_safety.html
Contractor's License
In general, all persons or businesses constructing or altering, moving, wrecking, or demolishing any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement must be licensed as a contractor if the total cost of labor and materials for a project is $500 or more. A license is also needed to do any work as a subcontractor or specialty contractor, and persons engaged in the business of home improvement.
Contractors' State License Board
50 D Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 576-2192
www.cslb.ca.gov
Health/Food Service Permit
If you are producing, handling, or distributing food products to the public, you may be required to obtain a Permit to Operate. In addition at least one of your fulltime employees or yourself must have a Serve Safe food handling certification.
County Department of Environmental Health
501 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-5425
Liquor License
A liquor license is required if you intend to sell liquor in your business. There are a limited number of liquor licenses available in the County. To acquire a license a pre-application must be completed, and if accepted, pay a fee. Liquor licenses are generally expensive relative to other permit fees.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Department
50 "D" Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 576-2165
www.abc.ca.gov
Occupancy Permit/Fire Inspection & Clearance
Certification of Occupancy Permits and other types of fire inspection or clearance are required by many businesses. For example, restaurants and businesses handling flammable materials require inspection. For additional information about these requirements, contact:
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Mendocino Ranger Unit
17501 N. Highway 101
Willits, CA 95490
(707) 459-7414
Ukiah Fire Department
300 Seminary Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-6261
www.cityofukiah.com/city_hall/firedept.html
Registration Form for Employers
Employers are required to file a registration form within 15 days after paying more than $100.00 in wages to one or more employees. No distinction is made between full-time and part-time or permanent and temporary employees in meeting this requirement.
Employment Development Department
631 South Orchard Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4703
www.caljobs.ca.gov
Seller's Permit (Retail Sales Permit or Resale Number)
If your business involves sales or tangible personal property, you must apply to the State Board of Equalization for Seller's Permit.
Board of Equalization
P. O. Box 730
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 576-2100
www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg.htm
Weights and Measures
Businesses using scales, fuel pumps, electronic or manual price lookup scanner devices, or other measuring devices must ensure proper calibration and pass inspections.
Mendocino County Department of Agriculture
Weights and Measures
579 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4208
For information on permits required for your specific type of business in our area visit the State of California's online Permit Assistance Center at: www.calgold.ca.gov
